Windows 7 Support Shutdown

I'm currently running XP Pro, SP3 and obviously now want to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8. I am hearing that 8 is quite different from other Windows so I'm hesitant to go that route. In going with 7 tho, I don't want to end up a few months or so down the road where MS decides to stop supporting it so does anyone have a date when that will happen?

I'd also appreciate some feedback on Windows 8 regarding the learning curve.

 

Thanks!